Measuring tape



Dec. 24, 1929. LAN 1,740,947

MEASURING TAPE Filed Aug. 19,-- 1926 /0 [0 [NVENTOR ADQLPH LAN s/VER Patented Dec. 24, 1929 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADOLPH LANGSNEB, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO EUGENE DIETZGEN ('30., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE MEASURING TAPE Application filedAugust 19, 1926. Serial No.130,219.

This invention relates generally to measuring tapes and particularly to the cases thereof, and has for its object the simplifying of the construction and the cheapening of the cost of manufacture thereof.

It is also contemplated to provide a simplified measuring tape case that may be quickly and easily assembled and yet have all of the strength and durability of the more complicated prior constructions.

Among its other objects the present invention has in view the provision of an outer or finishing cover for the measuring tape case that may be quickly placed on the case and there be held without the use of stitching or similar fastening means or without unprotected edges to become loosened.

The present invention, furthermore, has in view the additional attachment of the outer or finishing cover to the case by the use of the mounting element of the drum upon which is wound the tape line.

With the above and other objects in view, as will be apparent,this invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation, with parts broken away, of a measuring tape case constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken along line 22 through Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a similar fragmentary section, enlarged to illustrated the joint between the parts of the measuring tape case and the securing of the outer cover thereon.

Heretofore it has been customary to telescope the two parts of a measuring tape case over the drum and other parts of the device and hold these parts in such positions by means of additional or other elements. The present invention contemplates providing the overlapping or telescope portions of the case 1 with beads, which when the parts 01 the case are telescoped snap into self-holding interlocking engagement. Thus the case is assembled and held by a means forming a part of the case itself and the necessity of other elements functioning for this purpose is done away with.

Where the case has been provided with an outer cover of leather or other material it has been the practice to form such outer cover in two sections and to stitch the adjoining edges of these sections one to the other. This has been unsatisfactory because of its expense as a manufacturing operation and the fact that it does not present a finished or attractive appearance. This invention, while utilizing a cover made in two sections, does not require the stitching thereof. It provides a cover which is placed on the case as a part of the assembling thereof, but which is so held in place that there are no exposed edges to become loosened, and a pleasing and finished appearance is presented. This is accomplished by means of a finishing strip secured over the adjoining edges of the cover and held at its ends by the eyelet or frame carrying the roller over which the tape line passes when removed from the case.

Reference being had more particularly to the drawing, 10 designates the two telescoping parts of a measuring tape case. The portions of these parts 10 that are designed to telescope are provided at or adjoining their edges with inward beads or grooves 11. WVhen the parts 10 of the case are telescoped these beads 11 snap into interlocking selfholding engagement and retain the casing assembled.

This construction produces a groove in the rim of the case which is utilized for holding the cover 12 on the casing. As shown in the enlarged view Fig. 3 the ad joining edges 12 of the cover 12 are curved and seated in the groove formed by the outer bead 11. In order to retain the edges 12 of the cover 12 in this groove and in order to hide these edges 12' of the covers; a finishing strip 13 is glued or cemented to the cover 12 over the edges 12' thereof.

The outer surface of the strip 13 is conveXed while the inner surface is generally fiat except in the center where it is provided with a ridge 14. This ridge 14 projects toward the groove created by the outer head 11 and overlies the edges 12 of the cover 12.

7 hide the rough edges of the covers.

glue or'cement is wholly relied upon to adhere the covers 12 and the edges 12 thereof This ridge 14 of the finishing strip is provided as an expedient for properly centering the strip in position about the periphery of the case and exactly over the juxtaposed edges 12 of the two separate cover pieces. .This finishing strip 13 is in no sense a clamping strip but serves merely to The in position and also to secure the flexible finishing strip 13 thereto when the same. is made of material such as leather or the like which may be suitably adhered to the cover pieces,v

An eyelet or frame 15 embraces the telescoped portions of the parts of the case at the opening through which the tape line 16 is removed from the case. The flanges of this eyelet engage the terminals of the finishing strip 18 and not only hold them in place but protect and conceal them.

At its center the sides of the cover 12 are apertu-red for the mounting of the drum 17 upon which the tape line 16 is wound. This drum 17 is inserted for rotation in one side 10 of thecase and is provided with a lateral lip 18 which bears upon the edges of the cover 12 surrounding the opening in the side 10. Thus the lip 18 of the drum 1'? centrally secures one side of the cover 12 in place on the case.

A hub l9- form's the axle of the drum 17 and extends from one side 10 to the other side 10 of the case. Adjoining the outer face of the drum 17 the hub 19 is grooved for cooperation with the drum while the opposite end has a friction fit with the flanged bushing 20 inserted through the side of the case and cover 12. The flange 21 0'? this bushing 20 is located on the exterior of the case and cover 12 and bears firmly against the edges of said cover around the opening in the case through which the flanged bushing 20 passes. In this manner the other side of the cover 12 is securely held in place on the case. From the foregoing it will be clear that the present casing may be assembled and covered in what may be termed a single operation. No unprotected edges are present in the cover nor is there any unsightly stitching showing. Not only is the appearance of these devices improved by the present invention but the cost of manufacture is reduced without sacrificing any of its durability or strength.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

p 1 A measuring tape-having a two part case with a head on each part, said beads snapping into interlocking engagement upon the telescoping of said parts.

2. A measuring tape having a case of W telescoping parts, and a bead on each part, said beads being adapted to snap into interlocking self-holding engagement when th parts are telescoped.

3; A measuring tape having a case of two telescoped parts, each part being provided with an inward bead, said beads adapted to snap into interlocking seltholding engagement as said parts are telescoped.

4. A measuring tape having a case of two telescoped parts, each part being provided with an inward bead, said beads adapted to snap into interlocking belt-holding engagement as said parts are telescoped, and a two part cover for said case, the adjoining edges of which are seated in said beads.

5. A measuring tape having a case of two telescoped parts, each part being provided with an inward bead, said beads adapted to snap into interlocking self-holding engage-1' ment as said parts are te'lescoped, a two part cover for said case having its adjoining edges seated in the outer of said beads, and a finishing strip over the adjoining edges of said cover. 7

6. A measuring tape casing formed with a groove in the periphery thereof, a cover for said case with its edges arranged in said groove, and a finishing strip arranged over curing them in the groove.

7. In a tape reel, a two part casing, a'cylindrical flange on each part, said flanges forming a groove in the peripheral wall of the casing and being provided with means to snap into interlocking self-holding engagement, cover pieces for said casing havingtheir marginal edges arranged in said groove and a finishing strip overlying said edges.

8. In a tape reel, a two part casing, said-* casing parts having telescoping flanges provided with means to snap into interlocking self-holdingengagement cover pieces having their marginal portions overlying the peripheral wall of said casing and a finishing strip hide the same, said finishing strip having an" internal bead whereby the edges of the cover are pressed into the groove.

11. A measuring tape casing provided with a peripheral groove, cover pieces for the casing having their edges arranged in said and concealing the edges of the cover and segroove inwardly of the peripheral surface of the casing, and a finishing band overlying said edges.

12. In a tape reel a two part casing, a cylindrical flange on each part, means on said flanges to fasten the parts together and to provide a groove in the periphery of the easing, cover pieces for said parts having their marginal edges arranged in said groove and a finishing strip overlying said edges.

13. In a tape reel, a tWo part casing, a cylindrical flange on each part, means associated with said flanges to fasten the parts together, said casing being formed to provide a peripheral groove when assembled, cover pieces for said casing having their marginal portions arranged in said groove and a finishing strip overlying said edges.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ADOLPH LANGSNER. 

